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JOB DESCRIPTION
View Vacancy – JPN (Tokyo) – Development Policy Officer, EO
Job Category
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory
Development and Humanitarian
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main Purpose of Job:
We are recruiting a Policy Officer to be the embassy policy lead on development issues, working within a team and directly to the section head and other seniors, including the Ambassador. The main purpose of this role and sub-team is to build a strong UK-Japan partnership on international development issues, amplifying the impact of UK and Japan development activities to accelerate global economic growth, tackle climate change, manage health security and humanitarian risks in our bilateral, trilateral and multilateral work.
The Jobholder will be expected to support the Counsellor and wider colleagues to manage and deliver engagement with Japan on development issues. They will need to develop a strong understanding of development policy in the UK and Japan, track key issues, provide updates and propose and manage efforts to influence and partner with Japan on these topics. The jobholder will be expected make operational and policy proposals based on assessment of strategic alignment with UK policy, Japanese priorities, impact, achievability and opportunities and risks – with support from the Section head.
The jobholder will be expected to work independently at times on complex topics, including keeping internal teams updated, coordinating with external stakeholders, helping build a network, and developing policy positions and advice. They will be supported to integrate wider UK objectives into this activity, including on growth and geopolitics. The role will require flexibility to respond to changing objectives and priorities in coordination with the section head. The focuses and topics described here are subject to change as UK policy focus and objectives develop. The role includes access to learning and development opportunities such as online learning, on the job training and shadowing.
What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:
Policy Engagement and Reporting (40%):
- Provide regular, impactful analysis and reporting on development policy issues. To include identifying opportunities for UK-Japan collaboration on international development that are in line with and contribute to UK objectives.
- Build awareness and understanding among stakeholders of the UK’s International Development objectives, strengths and capabilities.
- Respond to requests for information and advice related to development policy.
- Provide briefing for key meetings, engagements, visits and events.
- Japan Network lead for additional agreed development-related subjects, themes, objectives and activities.
Building Partnerships and Project Development & Management (55%):
- Identify and develop effective relationships with targeted development interlocutors, including, but not limited to, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Japan International Cooperation Agency, as well as with UK stakeholders.
- Provide an effective Secretariat function for the Japan Network International Development Working Group, ensuring a holistic approach that reflects input from Teams across the Network.
- Lead on arrangements for the annual UK-Japan Development Strategic Dialogue, working closely with stakeholders to identify objectives, provide briefing and monitor and evaluate progress.
- Coordinate Japan Network input into London-led planning ahead of multilateral development meetings and events, including UN meetings, G7 and G20 tracks.
- Scope out opportunities for collaboration and partnership, including potential joint projects. Develop strategies and action plans for capitalising upon and implementing (ensuring close collaboration with stakeholders). Specific areas to Work in partnership across teams to capitalise and deliver on opportunities.
- Work in close partnership with colleagues to develop, manage and capitalise upon the UK government’s British Investment Partnerships initiative.
Corporate (5%):
- Take on corporate tasks and roles that contribute to embassy objectives, proactively working with members of other teams.
- Contribute to the Embassy’s crisis preparedness and response.
Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):
Line management of one Administrative Officer (AO) level policy officer and team level budget.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Knowledge or demonstratable interest in development policy proven through qualifications or previous work experience
- Team player with an ability to work with others and flex priorities and workload in line with the needs of the team and demands at the time
- Excellent communication and engagement skills; ability to write clearly and professionally in English
- Able to deal with high volumes of information from multiple sources and understand English language text easily
- Able to summarise broad and complex information for a busy and non-specialist audience whilst able to grasp technical concepts quickly
- Ability to engage external stakeholders and build networks
- Strong skills in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, MS Teams
Language Requirements:
This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in English language and business level (minimum of high B2) in Japanese.
*Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages sets the following mastery or proficiency levels:
- C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
- B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- Experience working on international development or international issues
- Experience working for a relevant organisation for example, working in government, for an embassy, research or advocacy organisation
- Policy and project management experience and qualifications
- Relevant degree or familiarity with development terms and concepts
- Experience engaging a wide variety of stakeholders
Required behaviours
Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline
15 September 2025
Grade
Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position
Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
37.5 hours
Region
Asia Pacific
Country/Territory
Japan
Location (City)
Tokyo
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
1
Salary Currency
JPY
Salary
JPY 555,600
Type of Salary
monthly
Start Date
24 November 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
- 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
(Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status) - Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
- 25 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
- Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
- Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)
Working Patterns:
The British Embassy supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This role allows for flexible working e.g. start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely on one day a week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.
Willingness to work out of hours where required for business need adjusting working patterns accordingly. Willingness to undertake some local/international travel as required.
This role will be offered pending successful reference and security checks and is subject to the appropriate permissions to work. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Tokyo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Japan employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in Japan with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
On-the-job training, performance management and related training. Support to define and deliver a personalised development plan. Extensive Learning and Development resources, courses, budget and support.
The British Embassy Tokyo and the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a range of training opportunities in core diplomatic and commercial skills, from networking and communication to project management. The British Embassy Tokyo works closely with missions across the Asia-Pacific region to share experience and learning.
Alongside several specific courses that must be completed upon arrival, the Japan Network is supportive of learning and development. We offer five development days per year and regular opportunities for learning and development delivered both within the mission and regionally in Asia. We also use coaching and a buddying system to support new arrivals.
All staff are required to take a role in the Japan Network’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided, and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.
Additional information
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements
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